South Sudanese human rights activist Ter Manyang Gatwech has appealed to foreign missions and human rights organizations for protection, saying he has received repeated death threats and fears for his safety and that of his family because of his advocacy work.
In a statement dated June 29 and addressed to embassies, media outlets and human rights organizations, Ter said he had been targeted by members of the National Security Service (NSS), Military Intelligence (MI) and individuals he believes are affiliated with them because of his work documenting alleged human rights violations in the Greater Upper Nile region.
The South Sudanese authorities had not immediately commented on the claims.
Ter said he has worked in human rights advocacy since 2013, focusing on documenting alleged abuses, monitoring violations and promoting accountability and transitional justice. He said he went into exile in 2013 because of insecurity before returning to Juba in January 2020, where he continued his work despite what he described as repeated arrests and intimidation.
According to the statement, he was arrested on Sept. 22, 2025, while attending the opening session of the trial involving First Vice President Riek Machar. He alleged that he was assaulted during the arrest and later received anonymous phone calls warning him to stop speaking about the conflict in the Upper Nile region. He also said suspected NSS agents detained him at gunpoint on Oct. 9, 2025, confiscating personal belongings including his laptop, identification cards, cash and academic documents.
Ter said he received additional death threats on March 24 and April 18, 2026, prompting him to leave South Sudan permanently on April 16. He said that the threats continued after his departure from the country.
He further said that between June 23 and June 25, four men visited his former residence in Juba asking relatives about his whereabouts. According to Ter, one of the men claimed to be his colleague from Uganda but failed to explain why he was unable to contact him directly.
Ter said he was later informed that the individual was believed to be associated with Military Intelligence, although he did not provide evidence to support the claim.
In his appeal, Ter called for immediate protection and relocation assistance for himself and his family, as well as medical and psychological support. He also urged international and national human rights organizations to intervene and press for accountability. He said the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network was aware of the threats against him.
Ter currently serves as Board Chair of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) and Executive Director of the civil society Nile Institute for Human Rights Studies.
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